June 4, 2011 at 2:53 pm By Roz Potter
Sources:
World Health Organization update #6 Link
Center for Infectious Disease Research and Policy from the Univ of Minnesota: Link
June 2011 update from Eurosurveillance: Link
From H5N1 blog: a translation of an article from the German Ärzte Zeitung: EHEC: Early neurological therapy recommended, Link
Excerpts:
The count of cases (some severely ill with renal failure and serious neurological symptoms) and deaths in Europe’s Escherichia coli outbreak pushes higher daily, with official case counts of around 1700, with many others likely uncounted. The epidemic has been traced to Hamburg, Germany but the exact source remains unknown. Many who are infected attended a 2 day Festival in Hamburg.
A WHO expert, Donato Greco, told the Italian newspaper La Repubblica: “The virus is found in intestines of cattle and therefore usually in raw meat such as tartar or poorly cooked hamburgers.” He said he had never yet seen such dangerous intestinal bacteria on fruits and vegetables.
There are two types of infection, one,with fewer victims involves hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS), or potentially fatal kidney failure. A number of victims are on dialysis.
*****
The German Society of Neurology (DGN) has reported that about half of patients with hemolytic-uremic syndrome (HUS) may also suffer from severe and sometimes irreversible neurological disorders.
Two Hamburg neurologists, Professor Joachim Roether and Professor Christian Gerloff, say that is is alarming that the neurological condition in spite of early plasmapheresis does not improve or even deteriorates.
Gerloff is director of neurology at the University Hospital Hamburg-Eppendorf (UKE), Roether is Chief of Neurology at the Asklepios Clinic Altona.
Espeically striking is the early appearance of neurological symptoms, says Gerloff. “It can develop simultaneously with renal and gastroenterological symptoms.”
Crucial features of HUS are bloody diarrhea, hemolysis, and renal dysfunction. In the neurological symptom complex in HUS, the first are confusion, reduced vigilance, irritability and delirium. There are also many cases of aphasia and apraxia, and disturbances of the brain stem functions. In severe cases, patients develop myoclonic seizures and sometimes that can lead to coma.
Posted in Drug Resistant Microorganisms, Emerging Infectious Diseases, Health, Infection Prevention and Control, Infectious and Communicable Disease | No Comments »
April 30, 2011 at 4:16 pm By Roz Potter
From the American Lung Association. Link
California has nine of the top twelve cities/towns with the most ozone polluted air. To learn more about ozone, click here
Excerpt:
Ozone (O3) is an extremely reactive gas molecule composed of three oxygen atoms. It is the primary ingredient of smog air pollution and is very harmful to breathe. Ozone attacks lung tissue by reacting chemically with it. …
Ozone is formed by chemical reactions in the atmosphere from two raw gases that do come out of tailpipes, smokestacks and many other sources. These essential raw ingredients for ozone are nitrogen oxides (NOx) and hydrocarbons, also called volatile organic compounds (VOCs). They are produced primarily when fossil fuels like gasoline, oil or coal are burned or when some chemicals, like solvents, evaporate.
Breathing ozone can shorten your life. Two early studies published in 2004 found strong evidence of the deadly impact of ozone in cities across the U.S. and in Europe. Even on days when ozone levels were low, the researchers found that the risk of premature death increased with higher levels of ozone.
For year-round particle pollution, California has 6 of the top twelve spots. To learn more about particle pollution, click here
Excerpt: Ever look at dirty truck exhaust?
The dirty, smoky part of that stream of exhaust is made of particle pollution. Overwhelming evidence shows that particle pollution—like that coming from that exhaust smoke—can kill. Particle pollution can increase the risk of heart disease, lung cancer and asthma attacks and can interfere with the growth and work of the lungs.
For short-term particle pollution, California has seven of the top twelve spots, including two areas that are tied for ninth place. To see the list, click here
Posted in Child Health, Health | No Comments »
April 11, 2011 at 8:53 pm By Roz Potter
From Forbes.com blog
Excerpt:
The Environmental Protection Agency recommends reverse osmosis water treatment to remove radioactive isotopes that emit beta-particle radiation. But iodine-131, a beta emitter, is typically present in water as a dissolved gas, and reverse osmosis is known to be ineffective at capturing gases.
A combination of technologies, however, may remove most or all of the iodine-131 that finds its way into tap water, all available in consumer products for home water treatment.
Posted in Health, Radiation health risks, Water Safety | No Comments »
December 11, 2010 at 11:44 am By Roz Potter
At least part of the answer may be found in an article posted on the Consumer Reports blog, link. Four consumer groups have filed a complaint with the FTC, alleging that companies such as Google, Microsoft, Yahoo, Web MD, HealthCentral and others may be collecting private medical information and using it in ways that puts individual privacy at risk.
Anyone who does online searching to acquire information about a medical condition should read the article.
Posted in Health, Healthcare, Privacy | No Comments »
October 9, 2010 at 9:52 pm By Roz Potter
This 9 minute animation explains the provisions of the new health care law and problems it was designed to address. Cokie Roberts narrates.
http://healthreform.kff.org/the-animation.aspx
For a modern version of “Diamonds are a girl’s best friend”, check out “Boyfriend with a Health Care Plan” , a YouTube music video. Patience is rewarded with this one.
http://www.youtube.com/user/runawaybox#p/a/u/1/XCw_UoRhTUk
I found these at “The Pump Handle”, an excellent public health blog. http://scienceblogs.com/thepumphandle/2010/10/kff_explains_new_healthcare_la.php
Posted in Health, Humor | 1 Comment »
Of Note